Strategies and plans to protect the environment are key target factors in product development and production. For this reason, the Group sets great store by developing environmentally friendly, energy-saving products.

This is also one of the objectives when selecting and designing electrical and mechanical assemblies in the Industrial Cranes segment. For the purposes of implementing Regulation (EU) No. 1907/2006 of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), a work plan was begun in the Industrial Cranes and Services segments together with TÜV Rheinland, which specialises in independent testing and assessment services. This enabled us to ensure that our products continue to be manufactured to our accustomed high quality standards. Similarly, preparations are currently underway for environmental certification in accordance with ISO 14001. Certification of the environmental management system is planned for September 2010. The Group also switched from solvent-based paint to the more environmentally friendly powder paint for chain hoist drives. This helps reduce the volume of harmful substances released, as does the introduction of water-based paint systems in girder fabrication. Through regular monitoring, a suitable reporting system will ensure compliance with the technical standards and regulations at all sites. The new generation of rope hoists, which have been very well received by the market, use frequency inverters to help improve customers’ energy efficiency throughout the hoist service life. In this way, the Demag Cranes Group has pushed ahead with its strategy to design Standard and Process Cranes, rope hoists and chain hoists that are environmentally friendly and energy-saving over their entire life cycle at the same time as enhancing their functionality.

In the Port Technology segment, we continued with development work begun during the previous financial year on an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) propelled by battery power instead of a diesel engine. Initial tests in normal port terminal operation with a pilot customer have already been a resounding success. The battery AGV helps users substantially cut noise and exhaust emissions at terminals while enabling them to make use of electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and hydropower. In the course of introducing a Group-wide environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001, we commenced system implementation at our Port Technology segment factory at Benrath in Düsseldorf. The management system makes it possible to monitor and control all key environmental parameters. During the system adoption phase, which will probably last until 2010, strengths and weaknesses regarding compliance with prevailing environmental law are analysed and improvements identified and put into practice. Once the system has been successfully introduced, it will be certified by independent auditors. As part of ongoing maintenance, we also stepped up efforts in the past financial year to institute energy-saving measures in various parts of the Düsseldorf works.